Chapter two: Arlo

I walked through the lonely, dark streets, with only the streetlights showing me where to go. It was about 9:00 by now. A bit late for me to go to Arlo's but I didn't care. He never minded. And I needed someone to talk to. He was the perfect person to vent to.

I looked both ways and carefully crossed the road. I didn't want to get into a car accident again. I had just survived one.

I walked down an alley, looking around. This was definitely scary. I was by myself, anyone could come out of the shadows any time now. But I had crossed this alley several times before. I went to Arlo's house almost every day for the past 2 years, ever since he got the apartment.

I turned left and found myself facing an old apartment. There was only one window with light coming out of it. Probably Arlo's window.

I went and knocked on his door. I heard footsteps and the key turning. The door swang open and Arlo stood there, smiling at me with his messy, black hair.

"Hey! You came! Why did you take so long?" He said, looking at his watch.

"Oops, sorry. I didn't realise that I took long" I laughed.

I went in and jumped onto the sofa.

"So. What did you want to talk to me about?" Arlo asked, sitting down on a chair next to me.

"Well, I've been noticing some strange stuff happening. Like, really strange"

Arlo looked at me, "Ok... and what are those strange things?" he asked, looking confused.

"First of all, I was in a car crash that should have killed me. And as you noticed before, I didn't even have a scratch when I woke up. It's a miracle that I even woke up, let alone have no injuries. Second, I keep on hearing people telling me to wake up. You included. Three people so far. What is going on?" I said, all at once. Arlo stared at me for a few seconds, saying nothing. And then he started to laugh.

"You probably think that because you're paranoid! I don't even remember telling you anything about it! Come on, relax!"

But I knew he was lying. I could hear it in his voice and I could see the uneasiness in his posture.

"No! I can't relax! You don't understand! It's not like that! My nurse literally sat down, stared straight into my eyes and told me to wake up. Who does that? And why would she say that in the first place? There's something fishy going on"

Arlo was still cackling. He thought this was funny?

"Why in the world would anyone tell you to wake up? What does that even mean?"

"Exactly, that's the point" I said, frowning. Arlo rolled his eyes.

"Anyways, why are they even saying that? Thet know they're not allo-" he stopped.

"They're not what? They're not allowed? Why are they not allowed? What does that mean? Arlo? Answer me!" I shouted. What did he just say?

"I think it's time for you to leave. I'm sorry, I'll talk to you tomorrow" he declared, walking to the door and opening it. He put his arm out towards the door, gesturing for me to leave.

"You're kicking me out like that? And you're not even telling me what you were about to say? Well, now I'm certain that something is going on! What are you hiding from me?" I responded, standing up and walking to the door. Arlo said nothing. He just looked at the door as in telling to walk out. I looked at him angrily for a few seconds and then walked out the door, shouting as I did.

"WHATEVER. DON'T TELL ME. I'LL FIGURE IT OUT BY MYSELF" I screamed.

"GO ON AND TRY. TRY TO WAKE UP AND FIGURE IT OUT" he shouted back, with an awkward and sudden pause at the end. Did he just realise what he had said and regretted it? Wake up and figure it out. Fourth time I had heard that. Twice from him.

"FINE. I WI-"

"SHUT UP!" I heard a voice booming from another door. Woops. I had forgotten that there were other people here.

"I'm sorry" I squeaked, and hurried outside.

It was even darker now. There was only one streetlight that worked in this road. It was flickering on and off. This was terrifying. I should have gotten used to it by now but I never got over the fact that someone could be watching me from the shadows. But I just kept walking, head kept down.

'I wish there was more light' I thought. And just as I said that, the streetlights all flickered on. I looked up. How did that happen?

'Turn off' I thought. And they all turned off. I got chills all over my arms. Did I just do that? How?

'Turn on' They turned on. There was no doubt that I was doing that. Did I have powers? I shook my head. No, that was stupid. Was this linked to all the weird stuff happening? It had to!

I looked in my backpack. It was empty. Good. I closed it again.

'Flashlight' I thought. I opened the bag. And there, in front of my eyes, clear as daylight, there was a flashlight. So it was real. Or was I just going crazy? I took it out of the bag. I could feel it's weight. It was real. I had to tell Arlo about this! I wasn't far from his house, I could go back. But it was getting quite late. I had to hurry. So I started running. Bad idea.

I saw Arlo at the other side of a small road. He was leaning against a wall smoking a cigarette.

"Arlo! You won't believe this!"

I started crossing the road.

"WATCH OUT!" Arlo shouted. But there wasn't any time. A car came crashing into me, knocking me off my feet. I flew across the road and hit my head on the floor.

"Esme-" I heard Arlo shout, but the voice was slowly fading. Everything was black.

There was no chance of me surviving that.

I was dead.